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I’m not sure why this makes me so happy.  But it does.

This accordion style coin book is really just eight (front + back) paint samples taped together.  I used cheapy double stick tape to adhere the coins to the sticks and paint chips.

  Object of game?  Match the popsicle stick to the correct coin. 

 I’m really diggin these recycled craft projects.  Why on earth did I ever pay money for mainstream toys and games?  While I was working on this Mason made a house with paint chip siding.  Emerson used ‘dots’ on chip samples.  I’m out of paint chips now… maybe that means I need to start another home improvement project! Naaaa, I’d rather do art!

 

I love photographing newborns.  There is something so sacred about capturing a tiny human so fresh from God.

10 tips to capturing your little miracle:

1.  My all time FAVORITE thing to do with newborns is to put them IN and ON things. Look around your house for bowls, baskets, plates…  get creative.  If you can’t find anything you love check out Ikea, Target, antique shops & yard sales for some inexpensive props.

2.  Before your wee one is born, hit a local fabric store stock up on variety of fabrics and blankets. Find at least one of each—- high dimension texture (like blanket above), silk, fake fur, loopy/bumpy texture and velvet.  You may also like to have several basic solids on hand; black, antique white and your favorite baby shade (pink-blue-mint) and at least one fun, wild vibrant print!  Fabrics are essential for backdrops if you have lots of clutter around.  Also use fabrics to make a tasty baby burrito or put your fabric over a bean bag, pillow or boppy for an instant “baby poser.”

3. Click with your heart. Don’t worry if your photographs aren’t technically perfect.  Some of my finest work is highly flawed… as long as you love an image, it is a treasure.  Photograph baby with something you cherish and/or something that represents you; an heirloom blanket, vintage baseball glove, cowboy hat, wedding rings, mommy’s wedding dress… the ideas are endless.  One of my Texas clients carved this table (above) and we curled baby on top for once in a lifetime shot.

4.  Turn off your flash. Let God’s light do all the work for you.  I have lots of expensive & fancy lighting equipment— never used it on a baby, not once.   Find a spot in your house that has soft, subtle light.  Notice the way the light changes in each room through out the day.  You may find exceptional light in the nursery during the morning and then the dining room in the afternoon.  Trust me when I say your house has perfect light— it’s just a matter of finding it.  I’ve photographed in bathrooms, entry ways, kitchens, garages… you name it!

5.   Be ridiculously cheesy and silly. Costumes aren’t just for Halloween!!  Accessorize fully clothed and nakie babes in hats, scarves, booties and big beautiful bows whenever possible.

6.  Go black and white. Nothing beats a timeless and classic black & white photograph.  Often fresh newborn skin can be bit blotchy and/or red— black and whites will help hide that!   The baby angel (sweet Kennedy above) had flawless skin, yet black and white just worked perfectly here.  Let each photograph speak to you– I usually know within the first second if it should be B&W or color… if in doubt print both and pick your favorite.

7.   Take the one shot you can’t live without. For me, every session includes the quintessential hand shot.  I love how this pose highlights the smallness of the baby against dad’s big hand.  Search your favorite magazines and find YOUR SHOT.  Do whatever it takes to capture it.

8.  Print your photographs regularly. This sounds simple enough, but in this age of digital greatness it’s easy to forget about REAL PRINTS.  Please don’t use your local pharmacy or home printer for photographs you actually care about.  Skip Target and Walmart.  Find a local professional camera shop and see if they do in house printing.  If they don’t they will recommend one to you.

9.  Show some skin. Go for the birthday suit.  Tushie shots are a must have.  You can easily cover up privates with a blankie.  Their skin never again be so velvety, soft and gorgeous.

10.  Pee. Poop. Patience. Photographing newborns is a hard, messy job!   Take your time and take lots and lots and lots of photos.  It’s okay to take 100 shots and only get ONE that really makes your heart sing.  My all time favorite photograph is with my baby girl on huge stack of books.  This photo took me over two hours to capture.  It was worth every second.

11.  Sleepy heads. Who isn’t a sucker for sleeping newborn?  You’ll find babes to be most easily movable and flexible within the FIRST TEN DAYS of life.  Keep a sleeping baby warm and wrapped until you are ready to begin your session.  I always ask my clients to turn the heat way up (parents should be sweating by the end of session) to keep baby content.  You can also use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm babies spot in advance.

12.  Okay, this was only supposed to be 10 tips… I can’t stop myself, one more–get AS CLOSE as your camera will allow. Capture tiny toes, drool, wrinkly skin, belly buttons… and capture it close. “Key to My Heart” (above) would not have had the impact if I included the entire baby and a wild background.  Always remember this— when you think you are close enough, go a tad closer!

My all-time favorite baby photography book——Nick Kelsh’s “How to Photograph Your Baby.”  LOVE this book!  Nick will make you believe that “The most important piece of equipment is your heart.”

Lastly, I promise you, I’m not just saying this because I am one, but if you can afford to hire a professional photographer, do it. I so wish I would have done this when my first born was a baby.  I did the cheapy, chain studios, but I truly wish I would had someone come to our house when he was brand spakin new.  If you really and truly can’t afford a pro, contact your favorite local photographers and tell them about your situation— I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done discounted sessions to help out families.   I’d photograph every baby in world if I had time!!! I really believe that most photographers are amazingly compassionate and generous.  If you can’t find anyone ask a super close friend or family member to act as your photography assistant during the first days!! New mama’s need and deserve all the help they can get.

Now go get clickin will ya?!  Can’t wait to see all your BABY shots!

1. Nap Time & My Sleeping Sweetheart:

2. My new {used} scrabble set.  I have been looking for one of these forever— 75 cents well spent!!   I’d like to make a collection of scrabble themed photo cards and the kiddos will use these in their little writer’s center!

3. High contrast black and whites:

This is my Can-O-Cards project!  I adhered photos to recycled soup cans to house the 40 cards we made for Daddio’s birthday!  This would be an easy idea for a handmade and memorable Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift—fill the can with cards or treats or pencils?!

We filled our cans with mini photo cards—

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it’s a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life’s realities. Theodor Geisel

Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine. Lord Byron

My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return. Maya Angelou

When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him. Thomas Szasz

 

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